A man has been arrested in southern England by police investigating three sectarian loyalist murders in Northern Ireland.

The suspect, 57, was detained in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.

Workmen Gary Convie, 24, and Eamon Fox, 44, were sitting in their car at a building site in North Queen Street in Belfast on May 17 1994 when a gunman opened fire with a submachine gun.

Sean McParland, 55, was shot in Skegoniel Avenue in the city on February 17 1994 while babysitting. He died a week later.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the suspect was arrested with assistance from Thames Valley Police and is being questioned at a police station in southern England. A property is being searched in Newport Pagnell.

A spokesman added: "Today's arrest is part of Operation Stafford, an investigation into a series of murders and other serious crimes by the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force paramilitary organisation) in north Belfast."